Siong Leng Musical Association or Siong Leng is a
Nanyin musical group from Singapore.
[Siong Leng Musical Association](_blank)
''chinatownology.com''. 7 November 2016 Siong Leng is known for its contribution to preserve and promote Nanyin (or Nan Guan) and
Liyuan Opera
Liyuan opera () is a form of Chinese opera originating in Quanzhou city, Fujian province, China. In recent years, one of Liyuan opera's staunchest advocates and most celebrated performers has been Zeng Jingping
Zeng (, ) is a Chinese family nam ...
, the arts of
Southern Min people.
[About Siong Leng](_blank)
, ''Siongleng.com''. 7 November 2016
History
The foundation of the group went back to 1901 when Heng Yun Association was formed to meet the cultural need of the local Hokkien community, and the earliest Nanyin performances were then organised by the association in Singapore (still part of
Malaya
Malaya refers to a number of historical and current political entities related to what is currently Peninsular Malaysia in Southeast Asia:
Political entities
* British Malaya (1826–1957), a loose collection of the British colony of the Straits ...
at that time).
Heng Yun association was founded by immigrants from
Southern Fujian
Minnan, Banlam or Minnan Golden Triangle (), refers to the coastal region in Southern Fujian Province, China, which includes the prefecture-level cities of Xiamen, Quanzhou and Zhangzhou. The region accounts for 40 percent of the GDP of Fujian Pro ...
, China. While worked overseas to save money, some of them initiated to create entertainment to overcome their homesickness. Heng Yun association then became popular across Malaya. When
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945) or War of Resistance (Chinese term) was a military conflict that was primarily waged between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. The war made up the Chinese theater of the wider Pacific Th ...
broke in 1937, Heng Yun participated in
Fund Relief for China program initiated by
Tan Kah Kee
Tan Kah Kee (; 21 October 1874 – 12 August 1961) was a Chinese businessman, investor, and philanthropist active in Singapore and the Chinese cities of Hong Kong, Shanghai, Xiamen, and Guangzhou.
A prominent figure in the overseas Chinese c ...
, but because Malaya is a neutral British colony, support to China was halted. Finally the group was disbanded. Some ex-member created new group called Yun Lu.
The group's life was momentary. Some of the Yun Lu ex-member established new group in 1941 called Siong Leng Musical Association. However, when
Japan occupied Singapore in 1942, all the activities were disrupted.
Then, after war the group resumed. Musical performances were organised to celebrate festivities or charity events. A musician most renown for his contribution to Siong Leng during this time was
Quanzhou
Quanzhou, postal map romanization, alternatively known as Chinchew, is a prefecture-level city, prefecture-level port city on the north bank of the Jin River, beside the Taiwan Strait in southern Fujian, China. It is Fujian's largest metrop ...
born
Teng Mah Seng (1915–1992). He composed many new Nanyin pieces and helped promoted Nanyin in Singapore.
[Teng Mah Seng](_blank)
, ''siongleng.com''. 7 November 2016 In 1970s he was appointed as chairman.
Through participation in various folk and traditional music festivals around the world, the group has won many awards and international recognition. In 1987, Teng Mah Seng was awarded Cultural Medallion from Singaporean government.
The leadership then was continued by Teng Hong Hai in 1994.
Today, beside making musical events such as annual performances in
Thian Hock Keng
Thian Hock Keng. & ( or the Tianfu Temple, literally "Palace of Heavenly Happiness"), is a temple built for the worship of Mazu, a Chinese sea goddess, located in Singapore. It is the oldest and most important temple of the Hokkien (Hoklo) p ...
temple and the Chinese temple in
Kusu Island
Kusu Island is one of the Southern Islands in Singapore, located about to the south of the main island of Singapore and below the Singapore Straits. "Kusu" means "Tortoise Island" or "Turtle Island" in Hokkien; the island is also known as '' ...
, Siong Leng also regularly takes part in various contemporary music festivals in Singapore and abroad.
[About Siong Leng Musical Association](_blank)
''singaporeheritage.org''. 7 November 2016 The group also performed in their annual ''Multi-sensory Banquet'' with different and unique theme each year.
Performances and appearances
*MAU: J-ASEAN Dance Collaboration, 2012.
*Soul Journey – Cicada Zen, 2012.
*Soul Journey – Nine Songs in
Esplanade Theatre Studio, 2015.
*Music of the South in
Cheah Kongsi, Penang, 2015.
Music of the South
''1926heritagehotel.com''. 7 November 2016
* Getai Soul, 2016.
Awards
*Third prize for Solo in Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod
The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is a music festival which takes place every year during the second week of July in Llangollen, North Wales. It is one of several large annual Eisteddfodau in Wales. Singers and dancers from around ...
, Wales
Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the Wales–England border, east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the ...
, 1983.
Publication
*The Complete Book of Great Nanyin Melodies (three volumes) by Teng Mah Seng.
Links
Official website of Siong Leng Musical AssociationTraditional Art of NanyinInterview with a member of Siong Leng
References
{{Authority control
Singaporean musical groups
1941 establishments in Singapore
Musical groups established in 1941
Chinese musical instrument ensembles
Chinese-Singaporean culture
Chinese Singaporean organisations